Douglas Helm
This story is rated PG-13. Although there is some minor violence it
deals with mature subject matter and may not be suitable for all
readers. I have made this very clear. Do not complain to me if you
continue reading this fic and find it offensive.
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc.
associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and
Kodansha. I make no claim to them and this fic should not be seen as
making a claim.
Those characters that are original and the story "Grandmother Makoto"
are copyrighted (c) 1997 by Douglas Helm.
This story is NOT part of the Sailor Moon Expanded Project.
Grandmother Makoto
Prologue
Date : December 7, 2870 - Crystal Tokyo Palace, 4:15 A.M.
Mostly asleep he turned over and automatically went to put his arm
around his wife. When his arm only met the bed he slowly opened his
eyes and looked around. The bed was empty. Turning slightly he saw her
standing by the window. Motionless and silent like a statue. Her face
softly lit by the reflection of the Palace light off the falling snow.
Quietly getting up he slowly made his way over to her. Wrapping his arms around her he rested
his chin on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly.
Makoto could feel her husband wrap his arms around her. His warm
embrace seemed to support her. She thought, a lump in her throat formed
and she tried to swallow.
"What's wrong?" he asked again.
"I... I was just thinking of Eszuza." She said quietly. That last thought pushed her just a little too
far and Makoto let out a small sob.
Turning she hugged her husband back. He kept his one hand holding her, giving her warmth and comfort.
His other hand started to stroke her hair in a smoothing motion.
"Yuuichiru, I know that it's been seven years but I miss her." Makoto
cried. her mind cried out.
"I know, Mako-chan, I know. I miss her too." he replied softly. He
felt a tear run down his face.
And as the snow fell quietly a couple wept together. But one knew
something that the other didn't and that formed part of her pain.
Date : December 7, 2870
In the city of Fukui, the street lamps were just starting to come on as
the light once again struggled to beat back the black of night. A low
rumbling thud signaled the passing of traffic heading home for the day.
In the city's hospital, a mother was giving birth. After several
minutes, she gave a rather loud sigh of relief. The baby was heavy. She
could hear the doctor make an appreciative whistle as the baby was
weighed. "At nine pounds, I bet you're glad to have the child out into
the world?"
"Yes, out into the world and into my arms," the mother replied as she
took the newborn. The baby had a sheaf of reddish-brown hair and brown
eyes. She was quiet for the most part. The doctor took a DNA sample,
the name of the baby which was Rakurai Sakuya, and the time and date of
birth.
After ensuring that the new mother was comfortable and that there was
nothing wrong with the new arrival, he headed for his office. Logging
into the computer, the doctor created a new entry to be added to the
citizen registry in Crystal Tokyo. Looking at the time, he prepared to
go home; it had been a very long day.
Just as he was leaving the speaking in the hallway blared an alarm,
"Code blue. Delivery room two." That was he'd just come from. the doctor questioned as he ran down the hall.
*******
Speeding along, the new data made its way to the Crystal Tokyo Citizen
Registry. After cataloguing the new entry for public reference, it was
also flagged and sent to a secure database within the palace. This
database contained all records that had any direct ties to the Senshi.
Mainly used for security purposes, its existence was a well guarded
secret.
Outside Crystal Tokyo life pretty much remained the same. People went to
work, talked, laughed, and died. Sure there was magic but nothing on
the order of Crystal Tokyo. Some of the sleepier villages and cities
that were further away from Crystal Tokyo seemed quite content to stay
that way. There were always people that wanted their city or town to be
like Crystal Tokyo. For the majority though, they were quite content
that their cities didn't have the number of visitors taking up the
streets, the security problems, and the like.
*******
Date : December 9, 2870
"Rakurai-kun, I'm sorry for your loss. Your newborn daughter won't get
to see her mother either."
Date : June 5, 2871
"See that guy over there?"
"Yeah what about him?"
"I hear he's loaded. His wife kicked the bucket and left him strapped
with the little kid he has."
"Really, I might have to make his acquaintance."
Date : April 5, 2872
"With this ring I thy wed..."
******
Date : December 17, 2879
"Rakurai Sakuya, just what do you think your doing?" the rather angry
voice of her mother called out. Sakuya turned slowly, her brown eyes
filled with apprehension. Her mother was glaring angrily at her.
She turned fully around and said in the best business voice she could
muster, "I'm selling stuff to the local kids. I need money to buy what
I want." Her mother just glared at her. She looked around again.
Sakuya's toys, what appeared to be most of her clothes and the family
album were spread out across her bed with price stickers on them.
"And where did you get the idea that you could sell these things?"
Sakuya smiled, she knew the answer to this question, "I saw a show on
the video. He was talking about making money. I know Papa sold that old
couch to get a new one. So if I need money to buy what I want then I
need to sell my stuff." Her mother took a step forward.
Sakuya rapidly lost all sense of confidence. Her mother was definitely
furious. This did not look good.
In a soft tone, but forcefully Sakuya's mother said, "Have this mess
cleaned up by the time I get back from shopping. You will not be
selling anything and if you try..." She let the rest of what she would
have said trial off. Fixing HIS daughter with one more glare, she
stalked out of the room.
Sakuya didn't breathe a sigh of relief. She had already sold some of
her things and made in her thinking quite a sum. This particular
incident would be the starting point in her career in business. She'd
always try to find a way to stay ahead of everybody else, and that
usually took money. Well she had just discovered a sure fire way of
getting it.
To bad she didn't know the havoc she'd caused. Then again, to gain an
edge, she might have done it anyway.
Date : June 5, 2880
"Dear diary, Mama's gone. Not dead but she left. We don't know where
she went. I heard Papa talking to somebody. I think it was the cops.
On a happier note I got six hundred yen from selling shiny rocks to the
kids at school."
Date : June 12, 2880
"Dear diary, Mama came back. She wouldn't tell me where she went. Papa
was mad. He didn't yell but I could tell that he was mad. He was quiet
most of the day. I got a thousand yen today. I was making bets to see
when she'd come back."
Date : August 6, 2881
"Well diary lots of stuff to tell you today. I'm grounded, again. I
can't believe that Mama's underestimating the condom market. They make
great water balloons. I'm clearing a fifty percent profit. Just
yesterday I made a twelve-hundred yen profit. Even passing all of my
recent tests with straight A's doesn't get me out of prison."
Date : October 6, 2882
"Diary, my parents are horrible. Actually just one of them is. I can't
believe it. I defended myself against a bully, I mean it isn't like I
broke all his ribs. I can't believe they suspended me when he was the
one who attacked me! Well you can imagine how my parents took it. Papa
was furious to say the least. But what got me was that when I left the
room she blamed the whole thing on him. I can't believe her."
Date : December 9, 2883
"Diary, I had a great birthday yesterday. I got a nice present from
Maia. I wonder how much arguing it took for my father to convince my
mother to buy me that computer. Papa was just beaming when he surprised
me with it. She just glared. Papa was nice enough to take her out and
leave my uncle to watch over Maia and I for awhile."
Date : December 9, 2883 - Crystal Tokyo Palace.
Serenity hesitated for a moment then knocked at the door. There was no
response, she knocked again. "Come in." said the voice from the other
side of the door.
Opening the door she walked in and then shut the door again. Turning
around she noted that Makoto wasn't packed yet. "Mako-chan, you are
going to be late for the train."
Makoto looked up and grimaced, "I can't go through with this." She
thought,
Serenity walked towards her friend, stopping in front of the desk
Serenity looked at Makoto. "Mako-chan, I would do anything to make this
easier but you know what has to be done."
"Yeah right!" Makoto shouted, "How long will we have to march to Pluto's
tune?!" She began to pace, like some caged animal. "I knew where she was,
I could have gone there! Been there when she died! But NO we have to play
all these games."
Serenity let Makoto rant on until she fell silent. "Makoto, I know what
your going through. We all do."
"Not her two grunts." Makoto growled.
"That isn't fair Makoto, Uranus and Neptune have their own rolls to
play."
"Sure, like serving her like a queen. I bet that time bitch let Beryl
into the Moon Kingdom so she could fulfill her own twisted schemes."
Makoto said quietly. She turned to look out the window.
"Jupiter stop this!" Serenity demanded, "Yes, I can't imagine what it
was like to not go to your daughter. But you are making accusations
about Pluto that are not true. We, the Inner Senshi, know what Pluto
does."
Walking around and placing a hand on Makoto's shoulder Serenity said in
a quieter voice, "Do you think I want to know what happens? Do you
not think that I want to be passed the point of knowledge? We all have
gone or will go through something like this," Serenity said softly.
Makoto shrugged her hand off and walked a little ways away. Serenity
sighed, "Makoto, I could never force you to go. I think you know what
you have to do and will do it. If you want to talk more, I am willing
to listen." With that Serenity left, hoping that her friend would make
the right choice.
******
On leaving the room, Serenity turned to the person waiting outside the
door while she shook her head sadly. "I think she needs some company.
Luna, why don't you at least try to talk to her, perhaps, even go with
her."
"That is a good idea, Your Majesty. I think I'll see if she will allow
me to accompany her." Luna replied.
******
Sighing again Makoto sat down. Lost in thought she didn't hear the door
open or close again. Didn't even see the black cat that slipped up
besides her and sat on the desk with a worried look on her face.
Chapter 1
It had been a few days after Sakuya's thirteenth birthday. She was just
leaving school when she saw the boy that had been ducking her all day.
She calmly made her way over. His friend nudged him. He turned around
to see what his friend was looking at.
Sakuya smiled, that's when his face dropped into one of terror. He
started to look around to see if there was a graceful way to escape.
There wasn't one. He started to say something and the thought better of
it. Sakuya got to where he was and took from her pocket a sheet of
paper that had been there.
"Now let me see. You owe me 2,500 yen in a loan agreement." She smiled
sweetly, "You have defaulted on the last three payment dates, therefore
I'm calling it." She had been reading this from the paper that she had
in her hand. He started to stammer that he didn't know about the loan
and that he couldn't afford that type of money.
"Either pay up, or I show this little agreement to your parents." Sakuya
didn't have to glare, the boy knew she would do it too. "Alright, I'll
get you your money tomorrow. Alright?"
"See that you do or else." With that, she walked away and headed for
the soda shop that her friends hung out at. The shop was called
`The King' exactly why no one knew; it had been here quite awhile.
It was also the most expensive place for a kid to hang out. Mainly
because the inside was decorated in antique (read 1950's) style
furniture.
Sakuya rarely got anything here. She was that much of a miser and
prices were very steep. She did, however, like the inside.
Sakuya was hoping that one of her friends was there; it was no fun in
having a booth all to herself. She decided that she would buy something
special today, a belated birthday present to herself.
As she came in the door her ears were assaulted with what `The King'
termed music. That had to be one of the biggest drawbacks. Sakuya
liked the furniture, definitely not the music. Looking around produced
results. Sitting in the far booth was Maia.
Maia was shorter than her by about four inches. Her hair was a somber
red. Eyes of a slight blue were seated behind glasses that always
seemed to threaten to fall off. After getting her special treat for the
day, she head over to the booth and greeted her friend. Maia seemed
more excited than usual.
"So what's up? You seem to be in a good mood considering what you got on
that math test."
Maia grimaced, taking a drink she replied, "Don't even mention math."
After a couple of seconds of silence, Maia said, "We're taking a trip. I
can hardly wait; we get to fly there."
"But what about school? I mean your parents are more obsessed with
school than mine are."
"We are not leaving right away. Look, it will be during the next break.
So did you get your money yet?" Sakuya just giggled at that, Maia
grinned, "You know one of these days you're going to get into trouble
for running a loan shark operation."
"Never mind about me. I want to hear about this trip that you're going
on. So you're going to fly, where?"
"Well we're going to fly..."
******
Kino Makoto sat in the first class seating on the train. She could have
flown to Fukui but she needed time to think. She was still unsure about
this trip. In one way she wanted to go to see her granddaughter but
there was the other side; the one that was afraid.
Afraid that this grandchild might not want anything to do with her. She
had almost not gone but someone had said she would come. Makoto
thought.
Luna was curled up on the seat beside her fast asleep. Or that's what
it looked like to Makoto. Luna for her part was also lost in thought.
******
Sakuya headed downstairs to the kitchen. She had got up before her
usual time. Wanting to make sure that her money appeared on time
was the main driving force behind Sakuya's early rising.
As she entered the kitchen, her father was just stepping out the door to
go to work. "Have a good day." She called, that caused her father to
jump slightly, turning around he waved a good-bye with a broad grin on
his face.
"Have fun day at school." And with that he was out the door. Sakuya
frowned slightly. The only way to have a good day at school was to make
a profit. After eating breakfast, she was out the door and started
jogging along the streets towards her school. She noted that the sun
was shining brightly.
Sakuya made it to school in good time. Finding a comfortable position
from which to observe the school yard, she waited for the people that
owed her money to come.
The first of her customers showed up twenty minutes before the bell.
Without too much fuss and bother, he handed over the ten-thousand yen
that he owed her. Sakuya was not as happy as one might think; she had
to turn sixty-percent over to her backers for that rather large loan.
Still forty-percent wasn't anything to sneeze at either.
So the morning went as usual, students came to school and handed over
their money. Students had learned awhile ago that you don't default on
loans given by Sakuya and not live to regret it later.
The five minute warning bell sounded. Sakuya took one look around and
then frowned. He had said he'd pay first thing this morning. It didn't
really matter now, if Sakuya couldn't get it by lunch he was going to
regret it.
******
"Your attention please, the train will be slowing down due to bad
weather. Arrival times will be delayed because of this," came the voice
over the loud speaker.
"I wonder if it's human?" Makoto said.
"Pardon?" said Luna.
"Oh, I was just wondering if the announcer was human or not."
"I wouldn't know, Mako-chan. If you will excuse me, I have something to
take care of." With that Luna hopped of the seat and headed down the
passageway.
Makoto turned to the window, peering out into the darkening sky the last
fight with her daughter came rushing at her like some monster's attack.
******
Date May 4, 2863.
Kino Eszuza glared at her mother. "BAKA! I want to go to a public
school. I don't want to be cooped up with Mercury all day."
Makoto could feel her anger rising, "I've told you before this isn't
open to discussion. Your safety might be compromised because I'm a
public figure. Someone might make a grab at you."
"I'd like to see them try it!" Eszuza stated hotly.
"Look, it isn't that bad. Mercury is a good teacher. What about the
others? You have friends in class."
Eszuza gave very derisive snort and said, "Oh you mean that bimbo and
the carbon copy of Mercury? Yeah some classmates."
"Now just a minute. You're not being fair to them," Makoto shouted.
"I'm not being fair!?! Your the one insisting that I go to Mercury's
dull classes. I want to go out and embrace life not stay cooped up in
this dismal place."
"Now look here..." Makoto never got the chance as her daughter
interrupted her.
"NO, you look here! I think I should leave."
"I think you should too!" shouted Makoto.
Eszuza turned around and walked out the door without looking back. That
had been the last time Makoto had seen her daughter.
"Good bye," Makoto said softly, she knew what was to come next and it
was killing her.
Chapter 2.
Sakuya was angry. It was now lunch time. Ignoring her stomach's
protests for food, she stalked through the school courtyard. He hadn't
shown up and his deadline was well past. She had managed to spot him
just briefly midmorning.
When she had asked him where her money was, he said that he was going to
blow her scam and he'd be safe and she wouldn't.
Now she was looking for him; she wanted her money! There, standing with
a couple of his friends, she saw him. Stalking that way (like a walking
thunderstorm) she strode up to the boy.
One of his friends pointed, turning around the boy sneered, "Sakuya-kun
give it up and leave me alo...." He never got to finish what he was
saying. With a flying leap, she planted her fist right in the middle of
his face. Reeling back and howling in fury with blood gushing from his
nose, the boy tried in vain to ward off the enraged angel. It didn't
work. Sakuya kept after him. His friends were torn between helping and
fleeing. That's when they saw the teacher coming across the courtyard
yelling for the two combatants to stop. Deciding that running would be
construed as being part of this, they stayed.
"STOP THIS!!!" bellowed the teacher. She hauled Sakuya away from the
boy. He was on the ground; he didn't look very good. There were two
more teachers on the way. Deciding that her coworkers could take care
of the victim and find out what the heck was going on, she took a look
at Sakuya. All the girl had was skinned knuckles. Releasing her grip
but putting herself between the boy and his attacker, she motioned for
Sakuya to enter the school.
Sakuya was not happy, the only thing keeping her from going after her
target again was the teacher, and her home room teacher at that. Gulping
slightly she stalked towards the school. she thought,
After a couple of minutes, Sakuya found herself sitting in the
Principal's office while her home room teacher explained what she had
seen. The Principal for the most part was looking none to pleased about
the matter.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself, Rakurai-san?" Sakuya didn't
hear the question. Instead she was thinking on how she would recover
the money.
******
The train pulled into the station at Fukui. Getting off Makoto picked
up her baggage and headed out on to the street with Luna walking beside
her. Finding a cab wasn't hard. Deciding to go to a hotel she sat back
and considered what she was going to do.
Makoto was apprehensive about meeting her son-in-law and a grandchild
she had to pretend never knew existed. Makoto
thought.
After the cab pulled up to the hotel, Makoto got out and went in to get
a room for the night. She would get settled and then phone them
tomorrow.
"Having doubts?" Luna asked from the bed.
"Yes I am." Makoto admitted, "I'm scared silly. I've face monsters and
death but the only other thing that scared me this much was when I was
marrying Yuuichiru."
Luna chuckled, "I talked to Yuuichiru-san before the ceremony. I was
quiet sure that he was going to faint. But he didn't."
"I wish he could have come," Makoto said. She still felt apprehensive
about what she was going to tell Yuuichiru when she got back.
"Mako-chan, you and Yuuichiru-san have had your rough spots. This might
be one of the rougher ones but I think he'll work through it. That's
always been your strength with each other. You two can have World War
Three over something and always seemed to make your peace."
Makoto reached over and scratched Luna in the middle of the shoulders.
"Thanks, I needed that." Luna just purred in response.
******
The late afternoon sun shone brightly through the office windows.
However, the mood of one of the occupants was not so bright. Sakuya
sighed, she was slumped in a chair looking at the floor. She couldn't
hear anything inside the Principal's office where her parents were in
conference. It didn't help that by the time that her skinned knuckles
had been looked after, rumors had already been flying concerning the
incident throughout the school.
Sakuya mused. He had only got a broken nose,
a black eye and some bruising. She felt a little guilty about doing
that but still... What was concerning her even more was that she
couldn't hear anything coming from the Principal's office. It was like
a tomb, the only sound were the quiet clatter of the secretaries going
about there work.
After another ten minutes, the door opened and the Principal motioned
for Sakuya to enter. As she stepped into the office, she winced
internally. Her father was sitting looking like a cross between a
hurricane and a glacier. Her mother was looking scarier she was doing
her active magma flow routine. If looks could kill, she be worse than
dead.
After taking a seat, the Principal said, "I have reached a decision that
your parents have agreed to." Sakuya gulped. "After consulting with
the boy's parents, they will not press charges." Sakuya's stomach sank
even further. "However, they were very specific on the condition for
them not to press charges. I have told your parents those conditions
and they have agreed." Setting his face into stone, the Principal said
in a rather tight voice, "Since both parties are in agreement, I have no
choice but to expel you." Sakuya didn't know whether to faint or cry.
******
Makoto was heading into the downtown district. She had seen a
restaurant at the hotel but she had a craving for something different.
Luna had decided to stay at the hotel and wait for her. Makoto had
promised to bring her back something.
After a couple of minutes she came to a interesting looking place called
`The King'. Makoto
mused. Deciding to look further, she entered the place.
Her ears were assaulted with some of the most ghastly music she'd ever
heard. Antique furniture was providing places to sit and eat. Making
her way over to the counter, she asked if the music could be turned
down. The person behind the counter was very glad to oblige. "I'm glad
you came in and asked. I can't stand the stuff myself."
Makoto sat down at the counter and took the menu offered. As she was
glancing through the selections, someone came in. Taking a quick look,
she noted that there were three girls talking and they seemed excited
over something. Makoto wondered.
Makoto hadn't intended to listen but the excited chatter floated her
way. "Can you image, she broke his nose!" the voice was slightly high
pitched and with a whine.
"I can top that," this was from a mild voice, "I hear she got expelled
for it."
Makoto perked up and listen more closely. she noted wryly.
The waitress behind the counter said softly, "Vultures."
"Pardon?" Makoto said, turning to look at the woman.
"They're vultures. One of their own has gone down in flames and now the
rumor mill is generating stuff. Unfortunately in this instance part of
it is true. The girl broke the kid's nose because he wouldn't pay a
loan back and to stop her from being charged the boy's parents demanded
that she be expelled. Her parents agreed."
Makoto blinked, "How do you know about
this?" Makoto asked.
"Well I have a friend that's like them," the waitress said while
pointing to the girls over in the corner booth, "She works at the school
and she can't keep what she calls `a good story' from the public."
Makoto got a
sinking feeling as thought dawned on her.
Chapter 3
Shortly after the sun set, a large bank of heavy December snow clouds
moved in. With a thunder pealing in the fore, snow began to fall at a
rapid pace. This sudden shift in the weather took everyone by surprise,
the forecast hadn't been calling for snow. But given the accuracy of
the local weather service foul weather popping up wasn't a big surprise
either.
Makoto thought as she
pulled out on to the street in a newly rented car. She had decided to phone Rakurai-kun that
night and head over before she lost her nerve.
She had started to feel apprehensive after leaving the soda shop.
******
Sakuya sat in the dark, looking at the snow fall. It was awfully quiet
in the house. Her parents seemed to neither be speaking to her or each
other. At first she had been worried about what her parents were going
to say. However this quickly vanished when they ate dinner in silence
and didn't say anything.
Her mind was wandering now drifting back to the boy who'd started this
all. The more she thought about it the more her anger grew. "If he had
paid the stupid loan I wouldn't be in this mess!" Sakuya shouted
suddenly, with that she tossed a pillow at the wall.
Something clicked in her mind, a subtle nudge, it... It almost like
revenge. A smile slowly crossed her face. That was it. She'd slip out
of the house and make him pay.
Taking this new found idea Sakuya slipped out of her room and headed
down the stairs quietly. As she approached the living room, she could
her voices. Pausing for a minute, she listened.
"...you're blaming me?" That sounded like her father.
"Yes! I mean no. Look you just told me you knew about this and didn't
do anything?" Her mother sounded pissed. Strange she wasn't yelling
though. Sakuya inched a little closer to hear better.
"I didn't say I knew about it I said I suspected something like it. The
real question I like to know is how did you miss it?" There was a
definite bite to that question.
A moment passed, then another. Finally Sakuya's mother said, "How did I
miss it? Why should I look for it? She is after all YOUR daughter."
Sakuya thought, involuntarily she sucked in a breath as she
strained to hear if any more was said.
"That was your choice. We spent sometime arguing about that before and
you wouldn't see my point."
Sakuya was becoming confused. That's when the nudge of
revenge came back. Moving into the kitchen quietly she put on her
winter clothes and slipped out of the house.
******
Makoto had intended to head back to the hotel but somehow found herself
headed into the graveyard.
Making her way carefully she started looking for the grave marker. The
terminal at the gate had indicated where the plot was but snow was
making navigating difficult.
After a few minutes she came to what she thought was a the proper grave
marker. Brushing the snow away she peered at the date. Makoto wondered,
she didn't notice a tear run down her cheek.
In a soft tone Makoto started to speak, "I'm sorry Eszuza-chan. I knew
where you were but I couldn't go to you. I didn't like it but I didn't
have a choice." her mind said,
There was only the wind howling and snow falling for Makoto's answer as
she stood there and questioned how she had allowed this to happen.
******
Visibility was not good in the open areas. Snow drifted across the
road, whiting everything out. The wind was strong making some of the
weaker trees to lean over and touch the ground. It was not a night to
be out in.
Sakuya didn't notice the weather. Her mind was chewing away at what her
parents had said, revenge and... something else. It was faint, remorse,
guilt. Sakuya shoved it back and concentrated on the two stronger ones.
Suddenly Sakuya realized she was standing in front of the boy's home.
That's
also when Sakuya realized what the weather was like. Sheltered as this
area was from some of the large apartment complexes the few houses here
helped to form a chasm that the wind literally raced down. Driving a
flurry of snow with it.
******
Makoto shivered, it was getting colder. She turned to leave and then
turned back again. After a couple of false starts she said out loud,
"Eszuza-chan, I wish I could have helped you. I... I needed to make
peace with you. I couldn't go to your family with this around me."
A rumble of thunder was her only response. Sighing, Makoto continued in
a quieter tone, "I'm sorry, Eszuza-chan. I would have helped you.
Don't be angry with me. There was just something that I could never tell
you."
Wiping away a tear Makoto turned and made her way back to the car. Soon
the snow obscured her foot prints and once again the graveyard was
silent and empty... or was it?
Could it be that Kino Eszuza's spirit had heard her mother?
******
Sakuya had moved off to the side, standing in the shadows. She
considered exactly what she was doing. That's when things started to go
wrong.
"Well, well, if it isn't that kawaiikune Rakurai-kun." The sheer venom
in the voice was enough to make Sakuya snap back to reality.
(kawaiikune means uncute.)
Standing there was the boy who's nose she had broken and four of his
friends. Taking a step back she looked around to make sure that there
was no one behind her.
"We were just looking for you." The evil grin was made worse by the
large bandage across his nose. "We," he said making a broad sweeping
gesture with his arms to the other four, "have decided to send the
terror of our school off with a personalized going away present." He
advance a couple of steps and then in a lower voice that was almost
blocked out by the howl of the wind, "You broke my nose. So I think it
only fitting that I say good bye by breaking yours."
With that he lunged at her; Sakuya bolted and took off down a side
street. She could her the shouts of the boys as they came pounding
after her.
Rounding a corner she slipped on a newly formed piece of ice and hit her
head on the street. Laying there dazedly for a few moments she caught
her breath.
"You shouldn't have run, you know." The voice was close, they were
standing around her now. Scrambling to her feet wasn't easy but she
managed. Deciding on a course of action to at least give her some
breathing room she hoofed the closest of her attackers. He went down
without a sound.
The rest of them looked stunned, they hadn't expected to get that type
of resistance. In a flash she was gone again, a moment later they were
running after her with one trailing behind.
******
Makoto thumped the steering wheel. The car had got a flat tire.
"Prefect!" Makoto growled, "What else could possibly go wrong?"
Makoto got out of the car and opened the trunk. She groaned in
disbelief, there was no spare tire. Closing the trunk and locking the
car she headed in the same direction by foot. Maybe she could find a
phone and call for help.
Walking down a street, while distractedly thinking to yourself isn't a
good way to be. Especially when you don't notice a young girl pelting
your way or the five boys that are chasing her. Makoto was suddenly
brought back to earth, literally, by someone tackling her.
Instinctively she heaved the person off her and scrambled to her feet.
Looking around she noticed the five boys who had stopped a short
distance away from her. Lying to the left, face first in a snowbank was
the person she'd tossed off her.
"What is going on her?" Makoto demanded. She wasn't in a good mood.
The boys stared for a moment then bolted. Taking off down the street.
The one with the bandaged nose shouting something about revenge.
Hoping to get an explanation of what had been going on Makoto turned
around to observe the young girl getting out of the snow bank.
"Thank you for chasing those boys away," the girl said.
Makoto moved to get a better look at the girl and stopped dead. Makoto thought.
"Is something wrong?"
"What's your name?" Makoto demanded.
Sakuya took a step back, Just then
both of them heard a motor. Makoto looked to see where the motor was
coming from and spotted a police officer who was just getting off his
bike.
"Is there a problem?" the officer asked.
"I have a flat tire. And this girl..."
"What girl?"
At his question Makoto turned around. She was gone. She started to
look around for any trace but nothing was to be seen except snow and
shadows.
Turning back around to the officer she said, "Well looks like she took
off. She was being chased by five boys. I was about to find out why
when you came along." Makoto tried to hide her disappointment. "It
looks like she took off."
"Well I'll get a patch kit off the bike; that should get you going to
where you were headed. I'd recommend getting a new tire as soon as
possible. After I fix the tire I'll have a look around to see if I can
spot that girl." With that he turned and headed back to his bike.
Makoto thought.
The officer shook his head as he got out the tire repair kit. The
gadget was a flat case about two feet square and about six inches deep.
It used a durable rubber sealant to seal the puncture of the tire. Once
sealed the repair kit would reinflate the tire. It couldn't handled big
punctures but for the small holes it was fine.
As he headed back to the car the officer though to himself,
Chapter 4
Sakuya's father opened the back door. "I'm back! Did she come back?"
No reply. Taking off his snow covered clothes he headed for the living
room. The first thing he noticed was that the wall lamps were smashed
in and pieces of the clear paneling were lying on the floor. "Is
everything okay?" he called out.
Still no response. Looking further into the living room he noted that
it looked like a bomb went off. Becoming worried he bounded up the
stairs to see if his wife was in the bathroom.
It was empty. He also noted that her belongings that had been in the
bathroom were now gone. The worry grew but also a feeling of dread.
Next he checked the bedrooms.
Sakuya wasn't back yet. In his own bedroom he found the dressers and
closets in a shambles. Clothes were strewn everywhere and two of the
suitcases were missing. The small projector TV that used to on the
dresser was now smashed beyond all recognition sitting in a heap on the
floor. He decided that he'd call the police and report both his wife
and daughter missing.
As he started heading back downstairs, he noticed the reminder pad stuck
to the door. Taking it he slowly went over to the bed and sat down. He
could never find the on button of these things.
Turning it over he stared at it. It was small about three inches cubed.
The one side had an adhesive coating so you could use to stick it on
stuff. It had a speaker/microphone on the top and a set of touch
mini-touch controls were on the sides. His finger found the play button
and it began to play. As he listened to his wife's raging voice, his
heart was chilled.
"I'm leaving," his wife's voiced hissed from the small cube. "Don't
worry I'm not taking your daughter with me. She probably be more
trouble then she's worth. This is your fault you know. You wouldn't
listen to me! No you wanted your daughter around to remind you of your
wife. Ha! She disgraces us and then takes off. Hopefully she won't
come back. I'm certainly not coming back and I don't want anything to
do with either of you." Sitting there dazedly he listened to his wife
rant until the machine ran out of room. That's when he heard the back
door open. Maybe it was her; no, at best, it would be Sakuya.
******
Sakuya started running as soon as the cop had the woman distracted. She
pelted down the sidewalk full tilt and around a corner. She continued
running through the driving snow for a short time more.
Stopping beside a empty intersection she climbed a recently erected
snowbank to determine where she was. After getting her bearings and
sliding down the snowbank, she headed for home while keeping a wary eye
out for either more cops, the woman, or those five boys.
Approaching the house quietly she snuck up to the back door and
listened.
"Hello Sakuya-san," said the back door. It was programmed to recognize
those staying inside the house and greet them.
Sakuya jumped at the unexpected voice. "Would you shut up?!" she hissed.
Realizing that it would only say it once she went back to take a peak in
the kitchen.
Nothing in the kitchen. After considering her options she went around the
side of the house and started to climb up the vine tressel.
Sakuya managed to get half-way up before the tressel started to creek
ominously. Waiting for a moment she started to climb the rest of the
way up.
After reaching the roof she started to make her way over to her window.
Careful where she was stepping, she inched her way over. A sudden gust
of wind made Sakuya lose her balance and start to slide off the roof.
With a cry of fear she tried to grab a hand hold. All her hands felt
were snow and ice. Her frantic motions caused her to slid even faster.
Just at the last second she managed to catch hold of the rain gutter.
Swinging she hit the house with a thud that shook some of the snow off
the roof onto her head.
This caused another startled cry and she released her hold on the
gutters. When Sakuya made contact with the ground she sent up a cloud
of snow that was picked up by the wind. The breath knocked out of her
she lay there trying to recover.
After a few moments Sakuya wondered why no one was coming out to see
what all the racket was about. Scrambling up she made her way to the
back door again.
As she reached it the door greeted her again. Slowly opening it Sakuya
went into the kitchen, ignoring the door's bidding of "good night". The
kitchen was deserted; there was no sound coming from the living room.
Coming in quietly she shut the door and locked it. Taking off her
jacket she shivered as the cold snow on her clothes began to melt.
Creeping carefully toward the stairs she took the chance to peek into
the living room.
What she saw looked like a disaster area. Someone had been terribly
upset. The projector TV was smashed in, the pillows of the couch,
amazingly, were torn apart, and even the living room curtains were
ripped out of their wall sockets. "What on earth happened here?" she
asked. That's when she heard the noise from something coming down the
stairs.
******
Upon reaching the hotel Makoto thanked the police officer as he drove
off. She would have stayed and tried to find the girl who had run off
but the police officer had escorted her back to the hotel to make sure
she got there safely.
Makoto noted. In
Crystal Tokyo most police were more trusting. This city's police hadn't
developed the "Utopia Method" of handling people. Mainly because
outside of Crystal Tokyo there was still no Utopia. Things were a lot
rougher.
"Your back, I was getting worried," Luna said as Makoto entered the
room.
"Sorry, I got side tracked."
"In this weather? Where did you go, Makoto-chan?"
"The graveyard," Makoto answered after taking a seat on the bed.
"The graveyard?!?" Luna gasped, "What were you doing... Oh you went to
see her grave."
Makoto nodded, Luna walked up to her and rubbed her head against
Makoto's hand. "Thanks, Luna. I appreciate the support. Tomorrow will
be rough."
"Yes it will be. Ah Mako-chan, I don't want to put you out but did you
get me anything to eat?" Luna said as her stomach made itself known.
Makoto's only answer was to flush and then reached for the phone.
"What's the number for room service?" Makoto asked. Luna just sighed.
******
Taking two quick steps backward Sakuya stumbled over her own feet and
promptly landed on her backside. "Ow..." she said, then looked up to
see who was coming down the stairs. It was her father and he looked
haggard.
That haggard look changed to a mixture of relief and anger. He just
stood there for a minute then the angry looked slipped away to be
replace totally with one of relief.
"There you are." His voice sounded small, almost distant.
"What happened here?" Sakuya asked as she got up off the floor and
surveyed the damage once again.
"I don't know," he said. His voice was filled with confusion. "I had
gone out looking for you. When I got back this was what I found. This
and a note." Something caught in his throat.
Turning around Sakuya caught a tear running down her father's face.
"Wh... what did it say?" she asked quietly, walking over to her father.
"It rambled mainly. The short of it is she has left again and isn't
coming back." He suddenly sat on the closest step and leaned against
the wall. "Two are gone now," he mumbled.
Sakuya for her part didn't quite know what to say. She had overheard
her mother's comments about how she was `his daughter'. She was only
thirteen. She wasn't supposed to handle this type of situation.
Without speaking she simply went over to her father and sat beside him.
After a little while he started to straighten up the living room. She
started to help but he stopped her. "Sako, why don't you head up to
bed?"
"But I want to help," Sakuya protested. She really didn't want to be
alone with her thoughts.
"Please," her father said, a quiet plea in his eyes.
"Goodnight," she said giving her father a hug.
"Goodnight," he replied distractedly.
Turning she made her way up the stairs. After getting into bed Sakuya
lay there, thinking over what had happened. she thought to
herself,
The words of her mother, she couldn't think of her any other way, worked
their way to the fore of her mind. Had being
expelled from school been the final act? Sakuya kept questioning
herself and replaying the events that had led up to her mother's
disappearance.
******
After eating breakfast Makoto and Luna made their way to the girl's
home. Pulling up to the front of the house, Makoto noted that there was
no car in the driveway. Hoping that someone was home they approached
the front door and knocked. After several seconds it was opened by a
short haggard looking man.
"Yes can I help you?"
"Rakurai Utashi?"
"Yes." He seemed to be squinting at her.
"My name's Kino Makoto," Makoto said nervously.
"YOU!" he growled, Makoto flinched. "Why are you here after all this
time?"
"Could... could we go inside? I can explain." Makoto said. She was
hoping that he would let her explain.
After considering it for a moment he said, "Alright Kino-san. I will
listen. I hope you don't mind sitting in the kitchen the living room is
not ready to receive guests."
Makoto nodded, at least he hadn't slammed the door in her face. As he
led her into the house she noted that except for the blanket covering
the living room entrance the rest of the downstairs that she could see
seemed to be spotless.
Makoto accepted a cup of tea as she sat down. Taking several swallows
she collected her thoughts so they would clearer. Rakurai Utashi for
the most part just sat there occasionally sipping coffee and looking at
Makoto.
Luna broke the ice, "Rakurai-kun, where is your daughter?"
Utashi's reaction was to choke on his coffee. He stared at Luna for a
moment. "You must be Luna," he stated after a little bit.
"Yes I am. Rakurai-kun, we would like to discuss some matters with
you," Luna said. She had never been good at this type of thing.
"What matters, and what do they have to do with my daughter?" Utashi was
squinting at them suspiciously.
"I want to meet my granddaughter," Makoto got out. "I loved my daughter
very much. When I found your letter unopened a few days ago, I found
out that she had a child. I wanted make my peace with my daughter and
to get to know my granddaughter," she said in a rush. She was sure she
wouldn't have got it out.
Utashi glowered for a moment. "Why suddenly find the letter unopened
now? I sent it to you thirteen years ago."
"There are some things that I can not explain. That is one of them,"
Makoto said.
"I'm sorry Kino-san. I didn't mean anything by it. Just that a lot has
happened recently and this seems to cap it all." Utashi seemed
miserable.
"I want to help. Please don't base your opinion of me on what my
daughter might have said." Makoto saw a bit of hope light his eyes.
"I am being unfair, aren't I? Maybe I should tell you what has
transpired in the past little bit and then I'll introduce you to your
grandchild."
******
Sakuya had heard someone come in. She didn't really feel like seeing
who it was. She had spent most of last night running the event through
her mind. Whoever had come in had obviously not been her mother.
Getting up from the bed she went over to the computer sitting on the
desk. As she pushed the on button and it whirred to life. After a
couple of seconds it greeted her.
"Good morning, Sakuya." It's voice was that of a young woman -- soft,
mild, and rich.
"Open journal entry," Sakuya said although she wasn't really up to
putting a journal entry in for the previous day. She had made it a
practice to keep a daily journal. Just as she was about to start
entering the previous day's events to see if she could work out where
she had done in forcing her mother to leave she heard a knock at the
door.
"Who is it?" she called.
"Sako," called her father, "get dressed and come downstairs. There is
someone here who would like to meet you."
"Do I have to?" Sakuya asked in a small voice. She really didn't want
to see anyone.
"I think you should."
"Alright," she said. Sighing she proceeded to get dressed.
******
"Do you have it?" Luna asked.
"Yes," Makoto said distractedly.
"Mako-chan, remember you have to drop it for her to find but not too
soon."
Makoto didn't answer Luna. Luna
thought.
Makoto could feel her mouth drying. She was getting nervous waiting for
Utashi to come back down. She paced back and forth in the kitchen until
she heard someone on the stairs.
Holding her breath she waited until Utashi came into the room. "She is
getting dressed. Sit down Makoto-san, don't worry."
Makoto thought as she took a seat. It
was about five minutes before Makoto heard another set of footsteps on
the stairs.
Her heart sped up a little bit as she sat there and stared at the
doorway. Then slowly a young girl appeared there. In the brighter
light of the house Makoto could see her features better. Raising a hand
to her mouth Makoto simply said, "Oh my."
Sakuya looked on in confusion. Here was the woman she had seen last
night. Her father seemed to be edgy about something. Sakuya thought glumly,
Sakuya made her way over to the table and looked from the woman to her
father and back again. Her curiosity was begging her to ask who this
was but she figured she would let her father make the introductions.
"Sako-chan, I'd like to introduce to you Kino Makoto and Luna."
"The Kino Makoto?" Sakuya squeaked out. She shot the woman sitting
there a sharp look. Sakuya thought. Her
heart stopped dead. Sakuya gulped, That's
when she noticed Luna sitting on the table staring intently at her.
"Yes `the' Kino Makoto. Kino Makoto, I'd like to introduce to you
Rakurai Sakuya, your granddaughter."
"Grrk!" was all Sakuya managed to get out.
"You look like my Eszuza." Makoto said to Sakuya.
"Yes she does look like Eszuza," Luna agreed.
After recovering from Luna talking, Sakuya shot her father a sharp look.
He still had that edgy look about him. "Papa, is this true?" Sakuya
asked.
"Yes it is?" Utashi replied without hesitation.
"Alright what did you do to him?" Sakuya whirled on this intruder. She
had done something to her father.
"Sakuya-san that was uncalled for!" her father yelled. He was now
glaring at her.
Makoto seemed flustered, "What? I didn't do anything to him!"
"Oh yeah then why does he think your my mother's mother? You don't look
anything like Obaa-san."
"Sakuya-chan, please sit down. I have some things to tell you."
Sakuya remained standing glaring at both of them. Taking a deep breath
Utashi thought, Taking another deep
breath he launched into an explanation that he had hoped wouldn't need
to come.
******
Makoto knocked on Sakuya's door. After Utashi revelations and Sakuya's
flight from the kitchen to her bedroom. Makoto had spent some time
talking with Utashi. More to support him then anything else. She was
angry with him but that could wait for a bit.
There wasn't any response from inside the room. Taking a deep breath
Makoto opened the door and stepped in. Sakuya was sitting on her bed
knees drawn up with her chin resting on top. Her arms were tightly
hugging her legs.
"Please, just go away," Sakuya said in a small voice. Her mind was
whirling around and she felt betrayed by her father.
Makoto ignored the request and sat down beside Sakuya. A silence
enveloped them for a while.
An idea formed in her head. Shoving her own thoughts of today out of her
mind for the moment, she turned slightly to face Sakuya.
"Could I be your friend?"
Sakuya turned her head slightly and blinked, "What?"
"Could I be your friend?" Makoto repeated in the same soft voice.
Sakuya considered it. "Why would you want to be my friend?"
Makoto thought, aloud she said,
"I think it would be easier to start like that. You grew up not knowing
me and I never knew you existed until I found your father's letter."
Sakuya got a funny look on her face, "What letter?"
Makoto pulled out the letter that should have got to her thirteen years
ago. She unfolded it carefully and handed it to Sakuya.
Sakuya straightened up and took the letter. She read it quietly once.
Pausing she read it again. Passing it back Sakuya sat there and thought
for awhile.
Makoto decided to play her last card. "Sakuya-san, I'm not looking for
love or trust. I just want to start to be friends. You remind me of my
daughter. From what I heard you and I are a lot alike."
"How do you figure that?"
"From what I hear you only got kicked out of two schools. I got kicked
out of several myself."
Sakuya flushed at that. "Okay, friends," she said. Makoto breathed a
sigh of relief. The first hurdle was past.
Chapter 6
Utashi approached Sakuya's door. He could her laughter coming from
inside the room. he thought. Pausing for a
moment he then knocked on the door.
"Come in," Sakuya called.
Utashi opened the door and peered in. Makoto was leaning up against the
bed holding a manga of some sort. Sakuya was sitting at her desk with a
small smile on her face.
"Do I really want to know?" Utashi asked with an upraised eyebrow.
"No, not really," Makoto replied. Getting up she dusted herself off and
headed for the door.
"It's almost time for supper, I insist on cooking it," Makoto said as
she reached the door.
"Okay, I was going to order in but if your willing to cook, I won't
complain," Utashi said. "Are you coming Sakuya?"
"In just a couple of seconds."
"Okay then," Utashi said as he shut the door. "It seemed to go well,"
he noted as they started head down the stairs.
Makoto was about to reply when she felt a tug. Stopping she understood
what was about to happen. That's when both of them heard a small cry of
surprise for Sakuya's bedroom.
Dashing up there, Makoto in the lead, they came to Sakuya's door. There
wasn't any sound from inside the room. Carefully Makoto opened the door
to peer inside. What met her eyes confused her. There was Sakuya in a
Sailor Senshi uniform. In fact after giving it a closer look, Makoto
saw that it was almost identical to her old uniform.
Utashi for his part was just standing there in the doorway making
gurgling noises.
"What happened?" Makoto asked. She didn't notice the tears shimmering
in her eyes.
Sakuya looked at Makoto.
she thought. After a few seconds Sakuya said, "After you left I saw
this pen lying on the floor where you had been sitting."
"What pen?" Makoto asked. Sakuya held up what looked like a
transformation pen. Makoto
thought,
To keep up the playing dumb act, she reached into her subspace pocket
and pulled out her transformation pen. Comparing the two she noted that
they were identical in nature.
"Okay so you picked up the pen. Then what?" Makoto asked.
"I don't know. I felt something. I can't describe it. Something
prompted me to say `Jupiter Star Power' and I wound up like this,"
Sakuya said indicating her new attire.
"Well change back. A young girl like you shouldn't be walking around in
the cold weather in those types of clothes," Utashi demanded.
Sakuya flushed as she realized what her father was implying. "Papa that
isn't funny," she said. She heard a chuckling sound coming from the
direction of Makoto.
Utashi reaction had struck Makoto funny. Makoto
thought.
Date - December 13, 2883.
"I'm nervous about leaving home. Papa isn't coming with us to Crystal
Tokyo. I wish he would but Obaa-san assured me that I would enjoy it
and it would be a long time before I see him again. Who would of
thought, Kino Makoto, Sailor Jupiter, my Obaa-san ^_^"
The End
Written by : Candle Light Author (dhelm@log.on.ca)
Author's afterwards:
Well that finishes off "Grandmother Makoto". I hope you enjoyed it. I
certainly enjoyed writing it. This is the lead in story to my upcoming
set called "Tales of Younger Jupiter". It is going to be a large
project. I won't give anything away though.
Some credits:
Special thanks to "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing and letting me
bounce ideas off of him. I think he should find this one just a little
more enjoyable then "Money's The Thing."
I'd also like to thank "Anne" for saying she'd draw some pictures for
me. I've wanted pics of Sakuya since I first developed her.
Come visit my home page at : http://log.on.ca/users/helm/anime/index.htm
Rakurai Sakuya's Homepage at :
http://log.on.ca/users/helm/sako/sakohome.htm